Gameboard, especially tableboard for ball games

ABSTRACT

There is provided a gameboard, especially for playing table bull games, e.g. table tennis. The gameboard has playing surfaces ( 8, 9, 10 ) which touches the ball during play and a support frame ( 1 ) for supporting at least three playing surfaces ( 8, 9, 10 ) and placed on the floor ( 14 ), and further having an at least partly open playing field ( 13 ) formed by the playing surfaces ( 8, 9, 10 ), further having at least two playing surfaces ( 8, 9 ) inclined to the horizontal plane and an upper playing surface ( 10 ) positioned parallel to the floor and above the lower playing surface. The lower playing surfaces ( 8, 9 ) are connected to the support frame ( 1 ) in a manner fixable in different positions ( 31, 32, 33 ) or configurations relative to each other and the support frame ( 1 ), and thereby the playing surfaces ( 8, 9, 10 ) may be applicable for different play modes in the different positions ( 31, 32, 33 ) or configurations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a gameboard, especially for playing tableball games, e.g. table tennis, having a playing surface which touchesthe ball during play and a support frame supporting the playing surfaceand placed on the floor.

PRIOR ART

Traditional table ball games require relatively large play area, andtherefor these games can not be played in smaller rooms or other placeswith a limited space. Numerous solutions have been suggested with theaim of creating versions of popular ball games that require only a smallspace to play. In most cases these games are only miniaturised versionsof the traditional table ball games. Several solutions teaches the useof additional playing surfaces to limit the playing field, e.g. sideplates, or an upper plate facing the lower playing surfaces.

Such games are described in the patent specifications U.S. Pat. No.4,030,734, U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,385, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,210. Acommon disadvantage of the suggested solutions that they do not meet thedemands raised by the modem age. Especially, either the games do notrequire substantially less space than the traditional table tennis, orthe trajectory of the ball is very irregular, making it very difficultto follow the ball. This leads to reduced playing satisfaction.

A further game is disclosed in the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,681.Here, the players are standing on the same side of the playing field.The ball is rebounding from the playing field after multiple bounces.The space needed for the game have been reduced, but the players maydisturb each other, and the ball is following an irregular path.

A gameboard for playing a game somewhat similar to table tennis isdisclosed in the document WO 97/07863. This gameboard is provided withthree playing surfaces which the ball touches during play. The playingsurfaces define a partly open playing field. The gameboard alsocomprises a support frame supporting the playing surfaces andpositionable on the floor, and the support frame has support means forsupporting an upper playing surface in an essentially horizontalposition and essentially above at least one lower playing surface. Thetwo lower playing surfaces are in an inclined position relative to thefloor, facing up and each other. This gameboard provides for a ball gamewhere the trajectory of the ball makes a loop, rebounding once from eachplaying surface. Due to this loop, the overall length of the gameboardand the area around the gameboard which is required for playing may bereduced significantly, as compared with a standard table-tennis table.While the play with this gameboard have been found to provide goodexercise in most cases, the gameboard can not be used for other playingmodes, e. g. playing modes where the ball do not make a loop, or whereonly a single player intends to play or exercise with the gameboard.Also, some players found that the play is not fast enough.

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to eliminate atleast some of the disadvantages of the known gameboards. In particular,it is sought to provide a game that requires fast play, hard exerciseand increased rate of movement, but at the same time needs little playspace, and may be played preferably in any apartment, and provides goodentertainment and exercise. Also, it is the object of the invention toprovide a game which eliminates at least some of the disadvantages ofthe known table games, and provides a well-defined ball trajectory incombination with a multiple-plane playing fields so that the followingof the ball will be easy even after multiple reboundings from theplaying surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the above objects are realised with agameboard having

a, at least two playing surfaces which the ball touches during play andwhich define a partly open playing field between them,

b, a support frame supporting the playing surfaces and positionable onthe floor, the support frame comprising

c, support means for supporting

i, an upper playing surface in an essentially horizontal position andessentially above at least one lower playing surface, and further

ii, at least one lower playing, surface in an inclined position relativeto the floor.

According to the invention, the support means is provided with means forsupporting at least one lower playing surface in an inclined positionwhere the playing surface is facing up and towards the support frame,and further the support means is provided with means for supporting atleast one lower playing surface in an inclined position where theplaying surface is facing up and away from the support frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the support means comprises a pair of lowersupport means for supporting at least one lower playing surface in theinclined position where the playing surface is facing up and towards thesupport frame, and further the support means comprises a pair of uppersupport means for supporting at least one lower playing surface in theinclined position where the playing surface is facing up and away fromthe support frame.

Advantageously, the support frame comprises a pair of lower supportmeans and a pair of upper support means supporting the neighbouringsides of the two lower playing surfaces, where the playing surfacespresent an A-shape when supported by the upper support means and theplaying surfaces present a V-shape when supported by the lower supportmeans.

Advantageously, the playing surfaces arranged in an A-shape or V-shapeor horizontally are at least partly supported by a crossbar attachedpreferably perpendicularly to a leg part of the support frame.

In a further preferred embodiment, the lower playing surfaces arrangedin A-shape are inclined with respect to the floor surface with an angleof 15-30 degrees, preferably 21 degrees, while the lower playingsurfaces arranged in a V-shape are inclined with respect to the floorsurface with an angle of 20-40 degrees, preferably 29 degrees.

By a further improvement, the inclination angle of at least one playingsurface may be varied continuously or stepwise in the range of 10-80degrees, preferably 20-40 degrees.

Preferably, the playing surfaces are foldable into a vertical positionwith respect to the plane of the floor. In this manner the gameboardoccupies small space when not in use, and may be stored conveniently.Optionally, the playing surfaces and/or the support frame areconstructed in a foldable and/or dismountable manner.

In a further preferred embodiment, the support frame comprises means formoving the lower and/or upper playing surfaces perpendicularly to theplane of the floor. This facilitates the use of the gameboard by personsbeing taller or smaller than the average, e.g. children.

Optionally, the gameboard may comprise a net limiting the playing fieldfrom the side of the leg parts of the support frame, and the playingsurfaces may be provided with different markings, preferably with colourmarkings for dividing the playing surfaces and/or enhancing the edges ofthe playing surfaces.

With other words, there is provided a gameboard, especially for playingtable ball games, e.g. table tennis, having a playing surface whichtouches the ball during play and a support frame for supporting at leastthree playing surfaces and placed on the floor, and further having an atleast partly open playing field formed by the playing surfaces, furtherhaving at least two playing surfaces inclined to the horizontal planeand an upper playing surface positioned parallel to the floor and abovethe lower playing surface. According to the inventive concept, the lowerplaying surfaces are connected to the support frame in a manner fixablein different positions, and the playing surfaces are applicable fordifferent play modes in the different positions.

Preferably the gameboard comprises two substantially equal sized lowerplaying surfaces, and further a support frame for supporting the lowerplaying surfaces in an A-shape or V-shape, with one side of the lowerplaying surfaces is adjacent to the other lower playing surface, and atleast one of the lower playing surfaces is removably attached to thesupport frame. Thus the gameboard of the invention is convenientlyadapted to different playing modes, by using the same basic elements,substantially without any extra costs. This is especially facilitated bythe fact that the same lower playing surfaces are positioned in A-shapeor V-shape. The varied playing modes are further enhanced if at leastone of the lower playing surfaces is attached to the support frame witha variable inclination angle, at least in the position belonging to theA-shape.

The invention also relates to a support frame for a gameboard,especially for gameboards with playing surfaces for playing table ballgames according to the invention. The support frame comprises supportmeans for supporting at least three playing surfaces in a fixedposition, the support means being adapted for supporting

i, an upper playing surface in an essentially horizontal position andessentially above at least one lower playing surface, and further

ii, at least one lower playing surface in an inclined position relativeto the floor.

According to the invention, the support means is provided with means forsupporting at least one lower playing surface in an inclined positionwhere the playing surface is facing up and towards the support frame,and further the support means is provided with means for supporting atleast one lower playing surface in an inclined position where theplaying surface is facing up and away from the support frame.

With other words, the support frame comprises support means for keepingat least one lower playing surface in a position inclined to thehorizontal plane, where two lower playing surfaces may be fixed in afirst playing position are in an A-shape, and for keeping two lowerplaying surface fixed in a second playing position in a V-shape. As willbe shown later, the support frame is also adapted for fixing one of thelower playing surfaces in a third, altenative playing position under theupper playing surface. The support frame of the invention is equallyuseful for supporting playing surfaces of other types of games, andthereby realising the gameboard of the invention. Therefor, it isadvantageous if the support means is connecting at least one of thelower playing surfaces to the support frame in a removable manner.

It is also preferred if the support means connects at least one lowerplaying surface to the support frame with a variable inclination angle.

It is a further object of the invention to create a game which isespecially suitable for single play, and requires a minimal space whennot in use. This object may be also realised with the gameboard of theinvention, using only one playing surface. In this case the lowerplaying surface is inclined to the horizontal with an angle of 20-40degrees, preferably 29 degrees, and the upper playing surface ispositioned horizontally The playing surfaces so positioned areespecially suitable for playing or practicing by a single person. Theball trajectories are such that the ball will leave the playing fieldafter only three bounces, and substantially in the same direction fromwhich it arrived. Thereby the game is easier, and the ball rounds willbe longer.

Advantageously, the support frame is formed as a wall mount. Optionallythe support frame may further comprise a decorative or protecting plate.

As mentioned above, the support frame for the gameboard of the inventionis provided with support means for fixedly positioning at least threeplaying surfaces. If only one lower playing surface is used, which isfacing away from the support frame, it is preferred that the supportmeans is fixing this lower playing surface inclined to the horizontalwith an angle of 15-40 degrees, preferably 29 degrees, It has been foundthat with this inclination range the trajectories of the balls will beeasy to follow, in spite of the fact that the ball is not visible for ashort time when it is covered under the upper playing surface. The factthat the ball will return almost in the same direction from which itarrived makes it easier to return the ball even for players with littleor no experience.

It is preferred if the support means connects at least one lower playingsurface removably to the support frame. With an other embodiment, thesupport means connects at least one lower playing surface to the supportframe with a variable inclination angle.

It has been found practical if the support means are formed as supportbars or suspension bars. With an especially advantageous embodiment, thesupport frame is formed as a wall mount, and the lower playing surfaceis inclined outwards from the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

By way of example only, various embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a gameboard according tothe invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gameboard of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a gameboard according tothe invention,

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lower playing surfaces in analternative position,

FIG. 5 shows the proposed shape and size of the playing surfaces of thegameboard of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is showing the embodiment of FIG. 3 with the lower playingsurfaces in an alternative position, for single play,

FIG. 7 shows on the same drawing the different positions of the theembodiment of FIG. 3, for easier comparison with each other, and finally

FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of the gameboard and support frame of theinvention, in a wall mount version.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gameboard of the invention isessentially a means for playing a table ball game. As seen on FIG. 1 and2, the gameboard has a support frame 1, which comprises two horizontalfoot parts 7 resting on the surface of the floor 14, and furthercomprises lower leg parts 2 and upper leg parts 4 perpendicular to thefoot parts 7. The support frame 1 supports the playing surfaces 8,9,10.The playing surfaces 8,9,10 partly limit the playing field 13, from thetop and bottom sides. The playing surfaces 8 and 9 have an equal sizewhile the size of the upper playing surface 10 may be different from thelower playing surfaces 8 and 9.

The support frame 1 further comprises connecting braces 6 between thelower legs 4 and the lower crossbar 5 connecting the lower legs 4. Thebraces 6 increase the stability of the gameboard of the invention. As itis seen in FIG. 2 portions of the braces 6 and crossbar 5 are indicatedby a dotted line only, because in this view the playing surface 8 wouldcover these portions of the lower crossbar 5 and the upper part of thebraces 6.

The playing surfaces 8 and 9 are fixed to the crossbar 5 of the supportframe 1, and arranged in an A-shape, i.e. the playing surfaces 8 and 9are tilting toward each other with their upper horizontal edge 15, andthese edges 15 are adjacent to each other. The fixing of the playingsurfaces 8 and 9 arranged in a A-shape may be a rigid fixation. In thiscase the playing surfaces 8 and 9 are always fixed in a given position.Alternatively, the fixation may be with a hinge or joint, and thus theplaying surfaces 8 and 9 may be moved out of the A-shape, and closedtowards each other, by folding them either up or down. The playingsurfaces 8 and 9 are inclined with respect to the floor surface 14 withan angle a of 15-30 degrees, preferably 20-25, in the present embodiment21 degrees. The playing surfaces 8 and 9 are further locked in positionthrough support elements 11 connected to the side of the lower playingsurfaces 8 and 9 and to the lower leg parts 4 of the support frame 1. Awooden plate constituting the upper playing surface 10 is connected tothe lower part of the upper crossbar 3, which latter connects the upperleg parts 2 and is arranged parallel to the floor.

The lower leg parts 4 connected to the foot parts 7 of the support frame1 are movable in a direction perpendicular to the foot parts 7 with apredetermined amount, so the lower playing surfaces 8 and 9 forming anA-shape may be raised or lowered. Essentially, the lower and upper legparts 4 and 2 of the support frame 1 are equipped with e.g. telescopicor similar mechanism (not shown), so that the third, upper playingsurface 10 may be moved (raised or lowered) relative to the floorsurface 14 or to the lower playing surfaces 8 and 9, so the open playingfield 13 between the playing surfaces 8,9 and 10 is variable betweenpredetermined dimensions. Thereby the playing field 13 may be adjustedto players with different height, e.g. children.

The support frame 1 further comprises adjustment means 12, with the helpof which the upper playing field 10 is movable in a direction parallelto the floor surface 14. This movement is of significance during theapplication of the gameboard as a single-play gameboard, because in thisversion, as will be shown later with reference to FIG. 6, the upperplaying surface 10 may be slightly translated sidewards for bettercovering the single lower playing surface.

The play is determined by the position of the three playing surfaces8,9,10 relative to each other. As mentioned above, the board planesconstituting the lower playing surfaces 8 and 9 arranged in A-shape areof equal size. The connecting edges of the playing surfaces 8 and 9 areraised 80-130 cm above the floor surface, preferably 95 cm. The lowerplaying surfaces 8 and 9 are inclined with respect to the floor surfacepreferably 21 degrees. As will be shown later, this angle α varies inthe different configurations of the playing surfaces.

The height of the playing surface 10 above the floor surface 14 isbetween 168-180 cm, preferably 175 cm.

The plates of the playing surfaces 8, 9 and 10 are provided with colourmarkings, e.g. the playing surfaces 8 and 9 are painted green or blue,with white stripes on the sides and edges, and the playing surfaces aredivided in four parts with similar white stripes. The lower part of theplaying surface 10 is white, in order to provide more light in theplaying field 13.

Use of the gameboard of the invention is described below. It must benoted that the gameboard of the invention is equally suited forindividual play as well as for the concurrent play of more players. Thegameboard is adequate for playing a ball game resembling mostly withtable tennis.

The rules of the game are also based on the rules of traditional tabletennis, that is change of serve after every 5 points and one set endswith 21 points. Of course, the game may be played according to othersimilar or totally different rules as well. It is understood that therules of the game are not a part of the inventive concept, and may bechosen freely by the players.

There is an important difference as compared with table tennis, namelythat with the gameboard of the invention has no net dividing the playingsurface into two halves. It must be noted that a net may also be appliedto the gameboard of the invention, but the role and placement of the netis very different from that of the net used in traditional table tennis.As an example, here the net may be used for preventing the balls fromflying out of the playing field, if they are moving in the wrongdirection. For this reason the net may be fastened to the support frame1, or to its 2 and 4 upper and lower leg parts, and the sides of theplaying surfaces.

Returning to the use of the gameboard of the invention, the ball musttouch each playing surface once in every turn of the game. Thus theplayer serving the ball hits first with the ball 30 the playing surfacein the A-shape closer to him or her, in such a manner that the ball 30consequently jumps to the upper playing surface 10, and from there itrebounds to the playing surface in the A-shape further away from him orher and from there it bounces towards the other player. The other playermust than hit the ball in a manner that the ball should again touch allthree playing surfaces 8,9 and 10 as described above, but in reverseorder.

The player who is not able to hit the ball back or the ball does notbounce back according to the rules, i.e. the ball does not touch allthree playing surfaces, loses the point.

The gameboard also may be used by one person only, for practice or justfor fun. This variation of the gameboard is shown in FIG. 6. In thiscase one of the two lower playing surfaces 8 or 9 is removed, and asseen in FIG. 6, the remaining playing surface 8 or 9 is slightly moretilted to form an alternative playing surface configuration. Optionally,the other lower playing surface 8 or 9 may be turned completelyvertical, practically in the plane of the foot part 2, so that the ballsmay rebound from it towards the player. It must be noted, though, thatthis vertical plate serves mostly as a decoration or protective plate,and is not touched by the ball in the regular play.

FIG. 3 shows an especially preferred embodiment of the gameboard of theinvention. Here the support frame 1 is provided with first fixing meansfor holding the playing surfaces 8 and 9 in a stable but removableposition. The first fixing means of the support frame 1 comprise on bothsides of the support frame 1 an upper support means 22, a lower supportmeans 21, and grooves 26 and 27 formed in a crossbar 23, which isfastened perpendicularly to the support frame 1. The foot part 7 isslightly angled, so it is supported on the ends. The outward ends of theplaying fields 8 and 9 are supported by the crossbar 23, with the helpof the second fixing means 24. The second fixing means 24 comprise sidepins 25, which rest in grooves 26 formed in the crossbars 23, andthereby ensure a stable, but easily removable fixation or fastening forthe playing surfaces 8 and 9. The adjacent ends of the playing surfaces8 and 9 are supported by the upper support means 22. The downwards orsidewards gliding of the playing surfaces are prevented by theconnection of the side pins 25 and grooves 26. In this configuration theplaying surfaces 8 and 9 are inclined to the horizontal with an angle αof 21 degrees. Naturally, other angles are also applicable, butexperience showed that the best angle value is around 21 degrees. FIG.3, also shows the possible trajectory of the ball 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the embodiment of FIG. 3 may be very easilytransformed to a gameboard with an other playing configuration. In thiscase the playing surfaces 8 and 9 are supported by the lower supportmeans 21 and the crossbar 23, and therefore they form a V-shape. In thissituation the playing surfaces 8 and 9 arc inclined to the horizontalwith an angle α of approx. 29 degrees. Here also the flight of the ballchanges radically, and the trajectory will be as shown in FIG. 4, i.e.the ball 30 first hits the playing surface further from the player.Therefrom it bounces up to the upper playing surface 10, and bouncestowards the other player via the surface closer to the starting player.

FIG. 5, shows the suggested size and shape of the playing surface. Thesecond fixing means 24, here made as the side pin 25 and its fixingplate is also illustrated. As apparent from the figure, it is preferredto round off the free comers of the playing to surfaces, in order toimprove the security of the play.

FIG. 6, shows the embodiment of the gameboard according to FIG. 3,configured to a further variant. In this case only two playing surfacesare utilised of the original three, in a configuration show in thefigure. This configuration is best suited for a single person, eitherfor play or exercise, because the ball 30 rebounds towards the same sidefrom which it arrived into the playing field. As seen in FIG. 6, hereone of the lower playing surfaces, presently the lower playing surface8, is slightly more tilted than with the double play. A good practicalvalue is 29 degrees. For this reason, the playing surface 8 is stillsupported by the upper support means 22, but the side pin 25 is movedfrom the groove 26 to the groove 27, which latter is closer to the legpart 4 of the support frame 1. Thereby the lower playing surface will bemore tilted. A few possible ball trajectories are also shown. It must benoted that in this configuration the upper playing surface 10 is movedfrom the symmetric position more closer to the player (in FIG. 6 it isto the right side), in order to better cover the single lower playingsurface 8.

FIG. 7, shows the three possible positions or configurations together.In the position 31 the lower playing surfaces are in the A-shape, whilein the position 32 the lower playing surfaces are in the V-shape.Position 33 needs only two playing surfaces, and it is mainly used forsingle play. It is apparent that the gameboard of the invention incombination with the support frame of the invention allow varied playand physical exercise for several or just one player, with minimal spaceand equipment needed.

Of course, not only these three configurations may be realised with thegameboard of the invention. There is nothing in the way for positioningthe playing surfaces 8 and 9 completely horizontally on the crossbar 23,with or without further support means or fixing means, and thereby usingthe gameboard of the invention for other games in a known manner.

FIG. 8 depicts another modified embodiment of the gameboard according tothe invention. With this gameboard only two playing surfaces are needed,and their special position guarantee the appropriate ball rounds. Thismodified embodiment corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, but uses a modified support frame 101. Generally, this modifiedgameboard according to the invention consist of the support frame 101and of the two playing surfaces 108 and 110, which enclose at leastpartly the playing field 113. The size of the playing surfaces 108 and110 may be different from each other.

The support frame 101 further comprise the stabilizing lower supportbars 106, which support the lower playing surface 108. Similarly, theupper playing surface 110 is held by the upper suspension bars 107. Inthe shown embodiment the support frame 101 is formed as a wall mount,fixed to the wall 102. It is understood that the support frame 101 maybe constructed as a self-supporting structure as well.

The playing surfaces 108 and 110 are thus fastened to the support frame101. The fastening of the playing surface may be rigid, i.e. the playingsurface 108 is always fixed in predetermined position, or may be hinged,so that the playing surface 108 may be folded up. The playing surface108 is inclined to the horizontal with an angle α of 15 to 45 degrees,preferably 28-30 degrees, in the present embodiment 29 degrees. The 101support frame is also comprising a protecting plate 109, which protectsthe wall 102 from the bouncing balls 30, but serves decorating purposesas well.

The play is determined by the relative position of the two playingsurfaces 108 and 110. The higher edge of the playing surface 108 isapprox. 70-80 cm, preferably 75 high above the floor 114, and is closerto the wall 102. With other words, the playing surface 108 is tiltingtowards the player, or towards the direction from which the ball 30 isdirected towards the playing field 113.

The distance of the upper playing surface 110 from the floor may varybetween 110 and 150 cm, it is preferably 125 cm. cm. The surfaces areinclined with respect to the floor Ace preferably 21 degrees.

The height of the playing surface 10 above the floor surface 14 isbetween 168-180 cm, preferably 175 cm.

The plates of the playing surfaces 108 and 110 are provided with colourmarkings, e.g. the playing surface 108 is painted green or blue, withwhite stripes on the sides and edges, and the playing surface is dividedinto parts with similar white stripes. The lower part of the playingsurface 110 is white, in order to provide more light in the playingfield 113.

Turning now to the use of the modified gameboard of the invention, theball 30 must touch three times the playing surfaces once in every turnof the game, quite similar to that described with reference to FIG. 6.Thus the player serving the ball hits first with the ball the playingsurface in such a manner, that the ball consequently jumps to the upperplaying surface 110, and from there it rebounds to the playing surface108 and from there it bounces out of the playing field 113,substantially in the direction from which it arrived. The other playermust than hit the ball in a manner that the ball should again touch bothplaying surfaces 108 and 110 as described above, in the same order. Forbetter illustration, two possible trajectories of the ball 30 is alsodepicted in FIG. 8.

Though FIG. 8 shows an especially advantageous embodiment of thegameboard according to the invention, it is understood that differentembodiments are also possible within the scope of the invention.Presently the upper suspension bars 107 holding the playing surface 110are situated on the two sides of the support frame 101. The lowerplaying surface 108 rests on the lower support bars 106. Otherwise bothplaying surfaces are removable, e.g. the lower playing surface 108 maybe transformed into a table, or both the lower and upper plates can befolded onto the wall. Optionally the complete support frame 101 may beconstructed so that it is easily removed from the wall 102.

Generally, this version of the gameboard according to the invention isvery suitable for playing or exercising by only one person, because theball 30 returns in the same direction from which it was thrown or hitinto the playing field 113.

There is nothing in the way for positioning the playing surface 108completely horizontally on the support bars 106 with or without furthersupport means, and thereby using the gameboard of the invention forother games or other purposes in a known manner.

Generally, the gameboard of the invention offers the followingadvantages:

provides fast playing rhythm,

forces the players to hard exercise, provides good workout for themuscles,

improves reflexes,

takes little space,

and provides varied play.

The gameboard of the invention is not limited to the preferredembodiments illustrated in the drawings and the specification, but maybe used for other “games in space” with minor and simple modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gameboard comprising: a) an upper playingsurface and a plurality of lower playing surfaces, each of said upperand lower playing surfaces being planar, said upper and lower playingsurfaces defining between them a partly open playing field, thegameboard allowing players to stand on opposite sides of the game boardwhile requiring only limited room; b) a support frame supporting theplaying surfaces and positionable on a floor, the support framecomprising support means for supporting the upper playing surface in anessentially horizontal position and essentially above the plurality oflower playing surfaces and for supporting the plurality of lower playingsurfaces in any of a plurality of inclined positions relative to thefloor, including a first inclined position in which at least one of thelower playing surfaces is facing up and towards the support frame and asecond inclined position in which the at least one lower playing surfaceis facing up and away from the support frame.
 2. The gameboard accordingto claim 1, wherein the support means comprises lower support means forsupporting the at least one lower playing surface in the first inclinedposition with the playing surface facing up and towards the supportframe and upper support means for supporting the at least one lowerplaying surface in the second inclined position with the at least onelower playing surface facing up and away from the support frame.
 3. Thegameboard according to claim 2, wherein the lower playing surfaces aresupportable by the upper support means in an A-shape and are supportableby the lower support means in a V-shape.
 4. The gameboard according toclaim 3, wherein the support means comprises a support bar that at leastpartly supports the lower playing surfaces in the A-shape or V-shape. 5.The gameboard according to claim 3, wherein the lower playing surfacesare supportable by the upper support means in the A-shape with the lowerplaying surfaces inclined at an angle of 15-30 degrees with respect tothe floor, and the lower playing surfaces are supportable by the lowersupport means in the V-shape with the lower playing surfaces inclined atan angle of 20-40 degrees with respect to the floor.
 6. The gameboardaccording to claim 1, comprising further support means for supportingrespective ends of the lower playing surfaces that are removed from thesupport frame.
 7. The gameboard according to claim 1, wherein the lowerplaying surfaces are foldable into a substantially vertical positionwith respect to the floor.
 8. The gameboard according to claim 1,wherein the upper and lower playing surfaces, the support frame or bothare foldable or dismountable or both.
 9. The gameboard according toclaim 1, wherein the support frame comprises means for moving the lowerplaying surfaces, the upper playing surface, or both in a substantiallyperpendicular direction relative to the floor.
 10. The gameboardaccording to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower playing surfacescomprise a plurality of different markings for demarcating the playingsurfaces, enhancing edges of the playing surfaces or both.